Teenagers singled out for fireworks ban

Police will be able to arrest children and young people for
possessing fireworks in public places, under new legislation
planned by the government.

Possession by under-18s of any fireworks other than caps,
cracker snaps and party poppers will be a criminal offence under
the new law, to be introduced before Christmas.

Other measures, also to be brought in before Christmas, but
which won’t require new legislation, are £80 fixed
penalty notices for people caught throwing fireworks in the street,
and a ban on members of the public possessing the largest, most
powerful category 4 fireworks.

The Fireworks Act, which was a private members bill backed by
the government, received royal assent in September. Next year,
other sections of the act will be implemented, including a national
curfew banning the use of fireworks during certain hours, a noise
limit of 120 decibels on fireworks available to the public and a
new licensing system for the sale of fireworks.

Local authorities will then be able to revoke the licences of
retailers who break the rules.

Animal welfare charities have been campaigning for a ban on
fireworks except on certain specified days of the year, but the
government seems to have rejected this option.